Chapter 7. Yay. Hope you enjoy. I could have divided this into two parts, but I didn't. Sue me. Warning: Hydranoid will be powered up noticeably this chapter. Well, you'll see. With that out of the way, be sure to follow if you like it, and review or PM if you want to say anything. Have a nice day.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.

XXX

Chapter 7: A Real Trap

In the trailer the fledgling resistance called home, Alice and Shun were each passing the time their own way. Shun was at the security cameras, looking for Vexos or their teammates, despite then only being gone for around 23 minutes. Alice was in her room, talking with her Bakugan.

"I'm worried about Baron and Mira", Alice said, "I'm almost positive now that they were led into a trap. I wonder if the Vexos got them."

"There's no way to know for sure, Alice." Hydranoid said, trying to reassure his partner and friend, "We must simply hope for the best, and prepare for the worst."

"I still don't get why those foolish Vestals refused to listen to reason. I suppose Vestals are inferior to humans in brain power", Leonidas said callously. "Why did you even recruit them?", he asked Alice.

Alice visibly winced at Leonidas harsh attitude. She considered rebuking Leonidas with a similarly harsh tone, but decided to try to give Leonidas something to ponder. "Leonidas", she started, "I'd like to share an experience of mine with you."

Leonidas was skeptical, but saw no reason to not hear her out. "Alright, tell me", he said.

So Alice did. "During the Brawlers' war against Naga, Hydranoid and I were involved in a battle against Rebeeder, one of Naga's personal guard, you might say. After a tough battle, and help from friends, we drove her away", she began.

"Time out." Leonidas interrupted, "First, drove her away? And second, why are you telling me this?" He was hoping Alice wasn't wasting his time.

Alice smiled to herself. "Leo, yes, we drove her away. We didn't need to destroy her. And to answer your other question, I'm getting to that", she informed her zealous friend. "After we beat Rebeeder, I spotted my grandfather, Michael G."

"Hold up", Leonidas interrupted again, "You mean Hal-G? Naga's right hand?!"

"Yup, that guy," Alice said. "He didn't look like Hal-G, though. He looked like my grandfather. He convinced me that he was who he looked like he was, at least for the moment, and I convinced myself that Wyvern's positive energy could help him. Can you guess what happened?"

Leonidas grunted an affirmative. "You brought him, carrying Naga, straight to Wyvern", he said in a monotone voice.

Alice nodded her head. "Vestals aren't really that different from humans, Leo. Mira's situation with Ace seemed too similar to mine with my grandfather. I was trying to warn her from my experience, but she didn't want to listen", she said gently. "If I were her, I probably would have done the same thing. I already did the same thing, Leo."

Leonidas didn't know what to make of that. He was silently hoping for something to distract Alice and Hydranoid, to avoid looking like an idiot, when the three were startled by a sudden knock on the door. "Alice, just to warn you," Shun said from the other side of the door, a sense of urgency in his voice, "there are two Vexos pods heading this way. Their colors are consistent with those of Gus and Mylene, and their ETA is around 2 minutes. You'd best prepare yourself."

Alice responded, "Thanks, Shun. I'll be ready." She grabbed her gauntlet, then checked to make sure her room was tidy and clean. Of course, it was. Before opening the door, she took a deep breath, then addressed her two partners, Leonidas and Hydranoid, with a question: "You guys ready to battle?"

"Always, Mistress", Hydranoid replied simply, "I'd battle beside you till the end."

"I'm with Hydranoid.", Leonidas agreed, "You've already done so much for me, how could I not return the favor?" Alice's story didn't change his opinion of her that much. Alice was still the same battler who freed him from that maniac, Shadow Prove.

Confident that her Bakugan were ready to battle, Alice took her transporter card and teleported out of the trailer, sure of herself and her Bakugan. She was greeted by Shun, who was already outside.

"Wait, how'd you get outside before me?", Alice asked her teammate, deciding to make some small talk.

"Ninja speed.", Shun relied, "The product of many years of training." They perhaps would have talked more, had they not been interrupted by two Vexos pods, now visible and very much heard.

Alice and Shun were expecting that, but they weren't expecting Gus's pod landing on the other side of the trailer.

"They're trying to split us up.", Alice thought out loud. "What do we do now?"

"We play their way." Shun responded. "We don't need to battle as a team to win. You take Gus, I'll take Mylene." He didn't know if it was going to end well for both of them, but Shun knew that they had to split up this time.

This was a thought that Alice also had. She nodded her head, and transported to the other side of the trailer, in order to engage Gus.

Mylene, meanwhile, had already climbed out of her pod and began making her way toward Shun. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. Fancy Ninja", she mocked Shun. "I was hoping to battle that redheaded witch, but I guess you'll do."

Shun could barely control his emotions. He knew that Mylene was trying to anger him to the point of losing his focus. He would not give her that satisfaction. "I won't be a disappointment, Mylene", he said. "This time will be the same as last time."

"I doubt that", Mylene retorted. In no time, Shun and Mylene activated their gauntlets.

"Gauntlet, Power Strike!", both battlers shouted. Shun's gauntlet glowed green, Mylene's blue, signifying their attributes.

"Gate Card, Set!", Shun yelled, throwing down his Gate Card. "Bakugan, Brawl! Ventus Ingram, Stand!" Ingram appeared on the battlefield and began soaring into the air, with a starting power level of 400.

"You won't win this time!", Mylene said, "Bakugan, Brawl! Elico, Stand!" Elico appeared on the battlefield, his eyes staring straight at Ingram, who stared back with the same gusto. His power level started at 500. "You'd better not fail me again, Elico", Mylene warned her powerful slave. Elico only grunted as a response, and started to charge Ingram.

Shun immediately reacted. "Gate Card, Open! Ventus Reactor!", he said. The area became engulfed in green twisters, literally sweeping Elico off his feet. Ingram's power level rose to 600, as he immediately began soaring toward Elico, unaffected by the tornados. After Ingram slammed into Elico, both began descending to the ground as the tornados died down. Shun then got an ability ready. "Ability Activate! Shadow Echo!", he called. Ingram melted into his own shadow, leaving Elico completely confused. Elico's power level fell to 300.

"Elico, don't you dare go down!", Mylene said menacingly. "Ability Activate! Trick World!" Elico began distorting Ingram's perception of reality, forcing him out of the shadow, and dropping his power level to 100. Elico calmly walked up to Ingram and began to beat on him.

"Ingram, get out of there!", Shun said desperately. It was to no avail, though, as Elico hit Ingram with a direct uppercut, and Ingram reverted. Shun's Life Gauge went down to 60%.

"Ha, is that the best you can do?", Mylene said. "I thought you said this wouldn't be a disappointment. I guess you can't do much without your girlfriend, huh?"

Shun shook his head. "The battle isn't over yet, Mylene", he told her, "If I go down, I go down fighting." He then raised Ingram to eye level. "Ready to go again, Ingram?", he asked.

"I'm ready", Ingram replied.

Shun was about to throw Ingram in when his communicator buzzed. He picked it up, and he saw Baron on the screen. "Master Shun", Baron said, "We're on our way back." He was about to say more, but Shun noticed that Mylene already threw her gate card down, and Elico was waiting.

"Baron, I copy, but I'm in the middle of a battle right now", Shun interrupted the Haos battler. "Bakugan, Brawl!", he said, then discontinued the connection.

XXX

Alice completed her transport to Gus's position to see him waiting, around 50 feet away. "I was hoping I'd get to battle you", Gus said. "I hope you live up to the reputation you've built."

"If we have to battle, I will win", Alice said. "This is your one chance to leave."

"Foolish girl", Gus began, "My master Spectra has ordered me to defeat you. He will not be denied." After he said that, both got their gauntlets ready.

"Then I'll get you back for Ace", Alice assured him.

"Losing Ace was because of your decision to not battle me yourself. What will you do now?", Gus asked her.

"Gauntlet, Power Strike!", Gus and Alice called. Gus's gauntlet glowed orange, and Alice's glowed purple.

"Gate Card, Set!", Gus exclaimed, throwing down his Gate Card. "I don't know who you are, but now I'll show you why I'm the second best Vestal battler. Bakugan, Brawl! Vulcan, Stand!" Vulcan was deployed, towering over Alice. His starting power level was 500.

Alice held Hydranoid up to her. "Alright, let's go", she said. "Bakugan, Brawl! Darkus Alpha Hydranoid, Stand!" Hydranoid rose, all three heads glaring an unspoken challenge toward Vulcan. His starting power level was 550. "Double Ability Card, Activate! Death Trident and fusion ability Final Demolition!", Alice used. Each of Hydranoid's heads shot a large orb of dark purple and black energy straight at Vulcan. Hydranoid's power level rose to 650, and Vulcan's was decreased to 200.

Gus made a mental note not to underestimate this girl. He then planned his counterattack. "Gate Card Open! Subterra Reactor!", he called. Vulcan's power level read at 400 with that. Immediately, earthen pillars rose from the ground, one intercepting the orb in the middle. Gus then loaded two abilities. "Double Ability Activate! Heavy Aegis and Titan Knuckle!" Vulcan's gloves began to whirl as they intercepted the remaining orbs, obliterating them, and then blasted toward Hydranoid with the momentum of a rocket. Vulcan's power level read at 1100, and Hydranoid's read at 350.

Alice calmly got her next ability ready. "Ability Activate! Trident of Doom!", she called. Hydranoid shot different orbs from each of his heads, this time pure black in color, straight into the air. Each of the orbs quickly separated into 3 smaller ones, as 2 knocked Vulcan's gloves off course, 4 hit Vulcan at multiple angles, and the rest collided with earthen pillars. Vulcan visibly stumbled at the attack, as his power level now read at 100, and Hydranoid's returned to 650.

"Like I would let you take Premo Vulcan!", Gus exclaimed, clutching something in his hand, before throwing it upward and shouting, "I call upon Bakugan Trap, Subterra Hexados!" Hexados appeared on the ground, part of its body already submerged in the earth. His power level combined with Vulcan's to form 450. But Gus wasn't done yet. "Double Ability Activate! Ray Drill and Viblow!", he said. Hexados extended multiple mini heads that began blasting Hydranoid with short bursts of orange energy, and Vulcan's gloves began rocketing toward Hydranoid again. Vulcan's and Hexados's combined power level read at 850, and Hydranoid's decreased to 450.

"No! Hydranoid!", Alice cried as her partner was barraged on all sides. Hydranoid began to glow purple. I guess we lost this round, Alice thought. Suddenly, instead of reverting, a dark whirlwind engulfed Hydranoid. Alice thought she saw something through the whirlwind. Is that five heads?, Alice thought. "What's going on?!", Alice questioned in a panic.

"No! Uhh, Aahh!", Hydranoid exclaimed, clearly in pain. When the whirlwind receded, Hydranoid, at least visibly, remained the same. But something clearly happened. Alice checked her gauntlet, which told her that, instead of 450, Hydranoid's power level was now 500. Suddenly, a new ability formed out of the same Darkus energy that engulfed Hydranoid earlier.

Alice had no quarrel about what to do right now. "Ability Card Activate! Chaos Trident!", she called. Hydranoid had each of its heads shoot orbs of pure black Darkus energy, this time combining into one large attack. Hydranoid's power level increased to 800, and his adversaries' decreased to 550. When the attack hit, both Premo Vulcan and Hexados reverted, dropping Gus's Life Gauge to 50%.

"Impossible!", Gus cried out. How did Hydranoid do that?!

Immediately afterward, Hydranoid wheezed, and returned to Alice groaning.

"Hydranoid, what was that?", Alice questioned her partner.

"That was a power surge", Leonidas answered for his friend. After Alice gave Leonidas a questioning look, he continued. "Look, when New Vestroia was formed, a lot of the Bakugan, including Ingram, Hydranoid, and me, kept battling. Recently, Hydranoid started getting close to evolving again. But…"

"But I can't", Hydranoid interrupted. "I've already evolved so much. If I absorb too much energy, I might destroy myself. So, I've been holding back my evolution as much as I could. I'll be fine, Alice, but there's no way I can battle right now", Hydranoid informed Alice. "I've stopped my evolution before, and it causes a lot of stress on my body."

Nodding in understanding, Alice turned to Leonidas. "Then I'll be using you to finish this", Alice told him. "Get ready."

Leonidas audibly laughed at that. "I'm always ready", he said with bravado.

Without further delay, Alice threw down her Gate Card. Throwing Leonidas, she yelled, "Bakugan, Brawl! Leonidas, Stand!"

XXX

"Gate Card Open! Aquos Reactor!", Mylene called out. The ground quickly became a huge ocean. Elico's power level rose to 800. Thankfully, Ingram could fly, so he didn't sink in the ocean. Mylene quickly decided to shoot the Ventus Bakugan down. "Ability Activate! Hydro Blow!" Elico's arms each blasted a torrent of water at Ingram. Elico's power level read at 1000, and Ingram's at 300.

"Oh, yeah? Double Ability Activate! Shadow Split and Wind Power - Soaring Strike Shot!", Shun counterattacked. Ingram transitioned into his bird form, split into four mirages, became surrounded in green fire, and charged Elico. Ingram's and Elico's power levels equalised at 700 each.

The water torrents took down the mirages, but the real Ingram managed to get past. Ingram and Elico became engaged in a close range fight, but neither side could gain the upper hand.

"Looks like this has become a battle of wills, Mylene", Shun said. "And I haven't even gotten started yet!"

"Neither have I", Mylene responded. "Ability Activate! Scramble Zwei!" Elico's power level doubled to 1400 as he became engulfed in a water tornado. Ingram fell back, his power level decreasing to 300.

"We're not done yet, Vexos! Ability Activate! Armored Victory!", Shun responded. Ingram folded his wings in a defensive position. When Elico attacked, Ingram was actually able to withstand it! Elico's power level returned to 700, but Ingram's increased to 900. Ingram smashed into Elico, defeating him and decreasing Mylene's Life Gauge to 60%.

"No! Impossible!", Mylene shouted. "Elico, this is your fault!"

Shun shook his head at Mylene's lack of maturity. He then threw down his Gate Card and engaged Ingram. "Let's finish this!", Ingram declared.

"I agree, partner!", Shun said.

Mylene then shoved Elico into her pocket. "You're sitting this battle out", she told him. She then brought out another Bakugan. "You'd better do better than Elico", she warned the Bakugan. Then, she threw it. "Bakugan, Brawl! Aquos Elfin, Stand!"

XXX

Leonidas was facing Premo Vulcan and the Bakugan Trap, Hexados, all currently at base power level, with Vulcan at 500, combining with Hexados's 350 to form 850, and Leonidas at 450. Alice decided to change that. "Gate Card Open! Darkus Reactor!", she commanded. The field became engulfed in dark aura, conveniently camouflaging Leonidas, whose power level shot up to 750.

Gus wasn't going to just take that, though. "Vulcan, Hexados, let's show this amateur who she's dealing with!", he said. "Triple Ability Activate! Titan Knuckle, Drill Impact, and Ray Drill!" Premo Vulcan's gloves shot out, rotating with deadly speed, and remained on standby as Hexados elongated it's mini heads and started blasting in all directions. Vulcan's and Hexados's combined power levels read 1450, and Leonidas's decreased to 350. Leonidas was eventually his by Hexados's attack, revealing his position to Vulcan, who directed his gloves to smash Leonidas.

Alice had a plan, however. "Ability Card Activate! Doom Corruption!", she called. Leonidas's whole body began glowing dark purple as he repelled the attack. Leonidas's power level increased to 950, and the Subterra Bakugan's power level decreased to 850. "Doom Corruption is an ability unique to Darkus Leonidas", Alice explained. "It nullifies your ability and increases Leonidas's power level by 200 points. Leo, how about we end this?"

"Let's do it" Leonidas responded.

"Oh, no you don't!", Gus exclaimed. "Double Ability Activate! Land Twist and Viblow!" Vulcan began to position his gauntlets defensively, while Hexados completely entrenched himself in the ground, with only his mini heads above ground. Their power level rose to 1050, and Leonidas's decreased to 550.

They actually think that'll make a difference?, Alice thought to herself. "Double Ability Activate! Double Dimension and Alpha Blaster!", she called. A dark aura appeared, shutting down Gus's last abilities. Afterward, Leonidas shot a large blast of energy at the two. It was Leonidas's 1150 versus his opponents' combined 850. No contest, as Leonidas defeated the two and finishing off Gus.

Gus collected his Bakugan, and turned around. As he was walking back to his pod, he smiled to himself. You aren't just good with Hydranoid, he thought to himself. You're proficient with the Darkus Attribute itself. I may have gone a bit easy that last round, but you're definitely an incredible brawler. I look forward to our next encounter.

XXX

"Ability Activate! Shooting Stardust!", Mylene called. Elfin became cloaked in blue energy, increasing her power level from its base, 400, to 600, while Ingram's dropped to 200. Elfin began to run straight at Ingram.

"Ability Activate! Wind Power - Soaring Strike Shot!", Shun countered. Ingram transitioned to bird form and soared straight at Elfin, becoming cloaked in green fire. Both Elfin's and Ingram's power levels equalised at 400.

"Why, you little…!", Mylene started, then recomposed herself. "Ability Activate! Delta Marine Snow!" Elfin began emitting snow which countered Ingram's ability. Elfin returned to 600, and Ingram returned to 200. "Good luck trying to use your abilities now, this ability will block them all!", Mylene gloated.

Shun frowned, then held out his hand. "Gate Card Open! Ventus Reactor!", he called. Green tornados forced Elfin away from Ingram, whose power level shot up to 400, and buying Shun time to properly respond. "I call Bakugan Trap, Ventus Hylash!", he stated, throwing his Trap in the air. Hylash combined with Ingram to form a power level of 750. "Does your ability affect Hylash, too?", he asked Mylene.

Her shocked expression told him the answer. "It only affects Bakugan that are on the field when the ability is used. Let's do this, Hylash! Ability Activate! Thunder Power - Glimmering Slash!" Hylash became engulfed in green fire and flew toward Elfin, dropping Elfin's power level to 400, and increasing Ingram's and Hylash's power level to 950.

Mylene didn't have the time to counter as Elfin was taken, her Life Gauge dropping to 0%. Furious, she activated her gauntlet laser and ran straight at Shun. "You're mine!", she yelled in anger. When she got in range, however, he simply ducked and flipped Mylene onto the ground! "Ugh", she groaned. Shun simply stood back, mentally preparing herself for Mylene's next attack. That attack never came, because Mylene was currently choking on the dust a certain motorbike just made in its wake.

"Mira! Baron!", Shun called with relief. He ran up to where they parked the motorbike. "It's great to see you!"

Realizing that she was outnumbered, and that Shun badly outclassed her even if she wasn't, Mylene retreated to her pod and flew away with haste. And then Alice appeared in a flash of light, holding her DT.

"Mira, Baron, you're back!", Alice said. "Are you ok?"

Baron seemed on the edge of tears, and Mira answered for both of them. "No, we aren't", she stated with finality and obvious heartbreak. "You were right. Ace lured us into a tag battle against him and Spectra. We tried our hardest, but…"

It was then Baron broke down absolutely, interrupting Mira. "They took Tigrerra! Right in front of my eyes! I'm so sorry, Mistress Alice and Master Shun! I'm so sorry!", Baron sobbed. He tried to be Mira's literal shoulder to cry on during the ride back, but he was in just as bad shape himself. Now, he let it all out.

Mira shook her head. "No, it's my fault", she said. "I'm the one who led us into that trap. I let my emotions get the better of me. We lost Tigrerra because of my mistake, Baron."

"No", Shun said firmly. "We can't assign blame right now. What's done is done. We just have to keep focusing on destroying the controllers."

Alice agreed. "Mira, I don't blame you", she told her. "I probably would've done the same thing in your position. But Shun is right. We have to focus on the endgame."

XXX

Back in Spectra's private quarters, Ace was talking with Spectra. "Spectra", he began, careful to keep his voice respectful, "you told me that we would bring Mira into the fold. Why didn't we take her when we won the battle?"

Spectra smiled to himself. "Are you forgetting that she wasn't alone and had an easy escape route with her motorbike? Those two things would have made grabbing her especially difficult", he told his servant. "Don't worry, Ace. Mira will soon join us, of her own free will, even."

Ace was unsure. "Due respect, Spectra, you don't know Mira like I do. She wouldn't join us of her own free will", he said.

Spectra chuckled. "She would, Ace", he said. "And I know Mira much better than you." To prove his point, he took off his mask, revealing the face Ace recognised from pictures Mira showed him. "I am her brother, after all", Keith Clay told Ace.

XXX

And we're done. A much longer chapter than usual, but I didn't want to separate the battles into a two parter.

So, Hydranoid is gaining more power, but will it lead to his destruction? Shun has freed Aquos Elfin from the Vexos, but what will he do with her? Will Mira and Baron be able to get over their mistakes in the previous chapter? And when will I include Dan, Drago, and Marucho?

Anyways, be sure to follow the story, leave a review, and have a nice day/night!